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By Jeff Todd | at
Email a copy of 'Phillies Expected To Pursue Veteran Position Players In Free Agency' to a friend
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Phillies2017
I don’t know how I feel about this. We have multiple prospects coming up at nearly every position. Why block them with a big contract. I would do an outfielder on a 1-year deal or maybe a bench infielder- but I don’t like the idea of pulling the trigger on that just yet.
Cam
Never rely on your prospects panning out. Take care of your MLB team, and if a prospect develops, he will find a way through.
Any team choosing not to fill spots with quality players on the MLB roster, because of the notion that they are blocking a player who isn’t even ready yet, is setting themselves up for failure.
Phillies2017
I understand what youre saying. I was just saying go for 1 year guys over guys like Prado or Desmond so that they didnt have a guy with a big contract blocking a prospect that did happen to work out.
chesteraarthur
those guys can play multiple positions and if I’m not mistaken, the Phils also have 1b as an option to fall back on
RunDMC
That’s exactly why they’re going after multiple-position players like Desmond (SS, CF, OF) and Prado (2B, 3B, OF). If they find a young player with upside they can move their veteran with a consistent bat and leadership around, as necessary.
bucketbrew35
Save your money for 2018. 2017 is the weakest Free Agent Class in years. Only the reliever market is strong in 2017.
Potential 2018 class:
Harper
Kershaw
Price
Donaldson
Fernandez
Harvey
Heyward
Machado
McCutchin
Keuchel
Jones
Kimbrel
Pence
Pollock
And more…this is really a no Brainer for the Phillies. Why tie up money in Prado when you could land Machado and shift Franco to first? Franco would then be an above average defender at 1st, Galvis could potentially be the best defensive second baseman in the league with 15 homer power. Crawford would be at short with Machado being a beast at third.
On a separate note, not really getting why people want to ship out Rupp. He’s having a great last couple of years and would provide tremendous value even as a back up catcher.
Phillies2017
Potential moves I would consider:
Eric Thames
Brandon Moss
Jon Jay
Austin Jackson
Angel Pagan
–all figure to be great guys who the Phillies could sell if they are totally out of it by July, but would allow for them to make a postseason run.
Also, some projected minor league free agents I would shoot for: Nicky Delmonico, Victor Payano, Myles Jaye, Dovydas Neverauskus, Alejandro Chacin, Henry Ramos and Orlando Calixte. All could be contributors for a long time if things go right.
PhilliesFan012
I’ll take Jon Jay or Eric Thames, I’d like to see both. If Thames can have his power he’s shown overseas transfer to the bigs he would be an awesome addition
petersdylan36
I think Jon Jay would be a great fit. Won’t break the bank, sign for no more than 3 years, and a great clubhouse presence.
I don’t think him staying with the Padres is the best fit with the team.
Joeycalexc
Makes me think Phils are moving on from galvis, Herrera and Hernandez. All 3 are horribly frustrating to watch. Poor plate discipline bad base running etc. Desmond could play center and Prado 2nd
AndThisGameBelongsToMySanDiegoPadres
How is Herrera disappointing?
meatmachine
Herrera has solid pitch recognition/OBP skills. Ditto Hernandez. Maybe Franco is in jeopardy of being moved?
Doc Halladay
I can definitely understand how Herrera could be a frustrating player to watch. He has all the necessary skills to be a star but he has a tendency to have major mental lapses. Also, almost 40% of his BB’s came in April alone. Regardless, he has a very bright future if he can get a handle on the mental side and improve his consistency.
meatmachine
Signing these two players make no sense for me, unless they envision trading their middle infield prospects (Crawford, Kingery, etc.). Why block them? Maybe they hold Crawford out until 2018? Phillies need players who can get on base big time though…
koldjerky
Because 2B and 3B could even be open. Franco could move to first and Kingery won’t be up until earliest 2018. If they want Crawford to be the SS, he will be, regardless of a Prado/Desmond signing.
Jeff Todd
Neither of these guys is really a middle infielder right now.
chesteraarthur
You have Franco who deserves PT and then Crawford whenever he comes up. Who are these guys blocking there? Prado plays 2b/1b/lf or desmond plays 3b/ss/2b/1b/lf/rf/cf
stephaniepetagno
Slightly overstating Desmond’s versatility there, Crazy Chester!
chesteraarthur
How so?
Ed Charles
Not a chance I sign in philly. The pitching staff is weak at best.
philly435
Right now it is, but that could change quickly. Nola, Velasquez, and Thompson all have potential. Eickhoff has done a fine job.
Sure, the pitching staff is weak in 2017, but there will be pieces to sign and or trade for in the offseason (next offseason that is).
Plus two, money talks
philly435
I expect the Phils to have an offseason similar to that of the Astrod prior to 2015
Donnie B
Phillies will seek to replace roster spots that were held by Howard, Ellis, Bourjos, Goedell, D. Hernandez, Hellickson and a couple RP slots.
I think Gomez, Rupp, Morgan and Asche will be used as trade bait – even Nick Williams and/or Altherr.
Signing Desmond would be a good boast to our horrible offense. I think Joseph still needs a lefty to platoon with., and the Phils said they want an experienced back-up Catcher for Alfaro or Rupp.
I like Prado, but he bats right – and i don’t see the point in having him as our utility 1B/2B/3B
I do see lefties Luis Valbuena and Chris Coghlan as nice pieces that play multiple positions and bat left-handed. As far as a back-up Catcher – AJ Pierzynski or Jared Saltalamacchia would seem to be fits as well.
for the Bullpen, I can see them signing Travis Wood and Greg Holland.
So… Perhaps the 2017 Phillies can look like this:
1B) T. Joseph
2B) C. Hernandez
SS) F. Galvis
3B) M. Franco
C) J. Alfaro
LF) O. Herrera
CF) R. Quinn
RF) I. Desmond
Bench – Valbuena / Coghlan / Perzynski / Blanco / Altherr
SP) via trade
SP) A. Nola
SP) J. Eickhoff
SP) V. Velasquez
SP) J. Thompson
with Asher / Lively / Eflin / Pivetta in the wings.
RP) G. Holland
RP) H. Neris
RP) E. Ramos
RP) T. Wood
RP) S. Gonzalez
RP) J. Gomez
RP) E. Araujo